The Housing Authority of the City of Elizabeth (HACE) recently announced the appointment of Curtis Myers, Jr., as the agency’s deputy executive director.
With 14 years of dedicated service to HACE, Myers most recently served as director of administration and finance. He succeeds Cathy Hart, stepping into a key leadership role as HACE enters a new chapter of growth and service.
A lifelong Elizabeth resident, Myers was raised in public housing and brings both a personal connection and professional expertise to HACE’s mission of meeting housing needs and improving the quality of life for all the residents it serves. A certified public accountant (CPA), Myers earned his bachelor’s degree from Rider University and an MBA from Pace University.
In his new role, Myers will be responsible for strategic planning, compliance, policy implementation, and executive and fiscal decision-making.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to help lead an agency in the city where I grew up – one that’s creating impactful programs and initiatives that truly make a difference,” he said.
Myers promotion not only honors his longstanding service to HACE but also reflects the agency’s continued focus on leadership that’s shaped by local experience and connection, according to HACE Executive Director William D. Jones. Myers’ deep understanding of HACE’s mission and operations makes him an invaluable asset, Jones said.
“Curtis’s journey truly reflects the heart of what HACE stands for,” Jones said. “He grew up in the very neighborhoods we serve, so he understands both the challenges our residents face and the hopes they hold. Through it all, he’s never lost sight of what it means to give back. I know his leadership will help us build the kind of neighborhoods where people feel supported, seen, and proud to live.”
Myers has led a number of impactful initiatives at HACE. He co-created HACE’s college tour and college preparation program, and he chairs the HACE Foundation Scholarship Committee, which awards scholarships annually to support students in the community.
Myers also serves on the board of the Greater Elizabeth Chamber of Commerce and understands the importance of workforce readiness. He created a Resident Training Program, a six-month cohort-based initiative that employs residents within HACE, placing them in roles such as maintenance, security, driving, and administrative support.
Myers also launched a summer internship program, leveraging city, county, and state grants to employ college students in fields including accounting, social services, and property management.
His commitment to youth development also included his leadership in the YouthBuild Program, where he worked alongside the New Jersey YouthBuild Coalition, led by Opportunity Youth Newark, to advocate for the NJ YouthBuild Act, which secured state funding for YouthBuild programs across New Jersey.
Internally, Myers has led several organizational reforms aimed at increasing impact and accountability. He restructured the agency’s organizational chart and created a Community Programming and Resident Services Department, dedicated to securing grants, managing resident initiatives, and strengthening relationships with tenant associations. This has improved both communication and service delivery across HACE.
Myers’ appointment became effective July 1.
About the Housing Authority of the City of Elizabeth
Since its formation in 1938, the Housing Authority of the City of Elizabeth has worked to meet housing needs and improve the quality of life for all the residents it serves. The Housing Authority of the City of Elizabeth is responsible for over 1350 units of public housing and delivers a broad range of services, ranging from social, economic, educational, and redevelopment. For more information about HACE, visit www.hacenj.com
